Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
ACCESSIBILITY IS A CIVIL RIGHT. The key function of transportation, at its most fundamental level, is to provide basic mobility to society. Yet transportation is about more than concrete, asphalt, and steel. It is about people and about providing opportunities for people. Our greatest challenge is to build a transportation system that is international in reach; intermodal in form; intelligent in character; and inclusive in nature.
Pedestrian travel is a key element to our Nation's transportation system, and almost every trip has a pedestrian component. Routinely providing appropriate facilities for pedestrian travel was called for in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), reinforced by Transportation Equity Act for the 21 Century (TEA-21), and is part of the FHWA and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) policies.
The pedestrian system (including sidewalks with curb ramps, shared use paths and trails, street crossings, bus stops, and even temporary facilities to mitigate the impacts of construction) is a critical link in providing access to all components of the Nation's transportation environment. Construction or modification of sidewalks to include curb ramps, audible signals at intersections, appropriate street or pedestrian signs and furnishings, clear paths of travel, and other accessibility features, improve usability and safety for all travelers.
General Links
- FHWA ADA Policies
- American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (AADAG)
- Recommended design criteria for accessible pedestirian facilities
- Latest recommended design for truncated domes encouraged by FHWA and US Access Board
- US Department of Justice ADA
- US Access Board
- State of California Division of the State Architect, Universal Design
Detectable Warning Links
- Detectable Warning Memo (July 30, 2004)
Clarification on the Access Board's July 23, 2004 release of the new ADA/ABA Accessibility Guideline (ADA/ABA-AG)
- Detectable Warning Memo (May 6, 2002)
Latest recommended design for truncated domes encouraged by FHWA and US Access Board
Local Activities